Abducted SP leader, aide return home

The vice-president of Samajwadi Party’s Mumbai unit and his personal assistant, who were abducted by unidentified men on April 30 last month, returned home last week, the police said. The duo was abducted on April 30 and returned home on Friday.

The vice-president of Samajwadi Party’s Mumbai unit and his personal assistant, who were abducted by unidentified men on April 30 last month, returned home last week, the police said. The duo was abducted on April 30 and returned home on Friday.

Ramrao Pawar, additional commissioner of police (north) said Drigesh Yadav and his personal assistant Ashok were released near Palghar. Pawar had earlier told the Hindustan Times that they were abducted for ransom. On Tuesday, he said that the police was unaware of any ransom money having been paid. “We had a case before us so we will investigate and look for abductors,” he said.

Drigesh, a government civil contractor, went missing from an area close to his residence at Mhada Colony at Dindoshi on April 30 at around 3.15pm. His family received a ransom call on May 3. The caller, who identified himself as Rehman, asked the family to pay Rs5 crore. The abductors later reduced it to Rs2 crore. Sources said Rs40 lakh was paid to them. The police are on the lookout for the accused.